Page 87 of Empire of Temptation

Fuck, he was hard to resist.

“Fine. This one time.” I bit my lip and moved in closer. “But if you’re picking out my clothes, can I pick out your tie?”

“Of course. Get dressed and come back to our bedroom.” He rubbed the pad of his thumb over my lips then walked out.

Ourbedroom.

What in the fresh hell?

And why was I smiling as I finished getting ready?

Chapter Twenty-One

Luca

Iheld Valentina’s hand as we descended the stairs. She was as gorgeous in the black wrap dress as I’d imagined, maybe more so. Long smooth legs, small waist and generous hips, and tits for days. I was already anticipating peeling the dress off her later.

Loud voices echoed in the direction of the kitchen, which meant the Benettis had arrived this morning. Good. It was time to find Segreto and put an end to all this.

I started toward the back of the house, but Valentina tugged on my hand. “Luca, I really need to go.”

“Come.” I kept walking, bringing her with me. “I want you to meet my brothers.”

Her jaw fell open. “What? Your brothers are here? When? Why?”

The edge of my mouth lifted. “Because I told them to. They flew overnight.”

“I can’t meet your brothers. I’m . . . ” Shehuffed in the most adorable way. “This is weird. They’re going to know that we, you know.”

“That we were fucking upstairs, yes. And anyone who sees you in this dress would kill to trade places with me.”

There wasn’t time to say more. I put my hand on the small of her back and escorted her inside the kitchen. Enrico and Dante were sitting on stools at the counter, while Sergio was standing next to Aldo, demitasse cups in their hands.

Conversation stopped as every eye turned toward us. “This is Valentina Montella,” I announced. “Bella, these are my brothers. Dante, Enrico, and Sergio.”

“Hello,” she said shyly. “It’s nice to meet all of you.”

No one else spoke, and I could sense my brothers trying to make sense of what they were seeing. Our world revolved around trust, and I didn’t have much to give. Consequently, I didn’t invite women to my home. I took them to a hotel or their house, never mine. So Valentina being here was surprising.

But that didn’t excuse rudeness.

I lifted a menacing brow at Sergio. Jolting, he immediately put down his demitasse cup and came forward. “Signorina, come stai?” He leaned down to kiss both of her cheeks. “It is nice to finally meet you.”

“Finally?” she asked, with a quick glance up at me. “You’ve told them about me?”

“Of course.” I pulled her closer to my side. “There are no secrets in my family.”

Dante and Rico were next, greeting Valentina properly, then returning to their seats. They shared an amused, knowing glance that set my teeth on edge, but I ignored it. For now.

Before I could get to the espresso machine, a bleary-eyed Gabriele strolled in, shirtless and wearing striped pajama bottoms. “Ciao,zii! I can’t believe you’re all here.” My son went over to say hello to his uncles.

“Gabi, buongiorno.” Sergio kissed my son’s cheeks. “How is my favorite nephew?”

“Fucking tired,” was Gabi’s answer. “Someone woke me up early.”

“Sorry if we were too loud,” Dante said, slapping Gabi’s back.

“Oh, it wasn’t you. Someone else was loud upstairs about an hour ago.”

---